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The differences between visiting researchers and postdoctoral associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a visiting researcher and a postdoctoral associate. Additionally, a visiting researcher has an average salary of $68,912, which is higher than the $54,350 average annual salary of a postdoctoral associate.
The top three skills for a visiting researcher include python, java and climate. The most important skills for a postdoctoral associate are patients, TIP, and data analysis.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $68,912 | $54,350 |
| Hourly rate | $33.13 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 14,622 | 18,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A visiting researcher is usually a postdoc, assistant, or associate professor who wants to carry out research or perform other professional development activity in an institution, and so they either visit or spend sabbaticals there. Their duties are largely dependent on the institution. However, they may be required to make presentations about your research during their stay. They may also be expected to contribute actively to on-going activities in any of the programs.
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Visiting researchers and postdoctoral associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average salary | $68,912 | $54,350 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $115,000 | Between $39,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a visiting researcher and a postdoctoral associate in terms of educational background:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Doctoral Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Physics | Chemistry |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between visiting researchers' and postdoctoral associates' demographics:
| Visiting Researcher | Postdoctoral Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 28.3% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 39.4% White, 42.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |